tiny pollinators like hoverflies and parasitic wasps love it. It is in the Brassica family though so it may get hammered with Bagrada bugs. If it does, yank it and toss it in the compost. There will be plenty of seed in the ground for it to pop back up with winter rain.

It's an easy annual, will reseed itself. I like it. Bright white, cheerful in the garden. You might see a purple version as well, at the nursery.

I've seen those beetles but never realized they were considered a pest. I guess I don't have any plants which they like except the alyssum.

They go after Brassicas like kale or in this case alyssum. I never would have guessed alyssum was a brassica if they hadn't got invested.

Is alyssum a good plant to start from seed or do I need to buy it already grown? Can I get the seeds from the existing plants to fill in some empty spots in my garden or do I need to buy?

Alyssum starts so easily from seed that I would never consider buying it as a plant. Although all the nurseries have flats of it. I just rip up some old ones and shake the seeds where I want new ones. But if you really want to be sure, buy a packet of seed.

I also recommend cutting it back a couple times as it comes in. you'll lose some blooms in the short run but it will grow back thicker, lower, and bloom better.

Alyssum can grow as a perennial in SoCal, but summer generally takes a pretty hard toll on it. It comes up naturally from seed with the winter rains and peters out around June in my garden without irrigation. With irrigation you can keep it going though.

It comes in purple and rose too.

I love allysum,it's a good filler,and i've never had a problem with it.It gets leggy and i pull it out,easy to do,then it comes back and looks good again.

Kathi

Renee's Garden sells seed for a pretty blend of peach colors too.